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TR2/3/3A TR3 Steering rack conversion

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Very good discussion on the new kit. I still don't like the paragraph in the PDF which says you have to plan on horn and turn signals. I like the massive horn and turn signal in the TR3!

Jerry
 
Jerry said:
... I like the massive horn and turn signal in the TR3!

Jerry
Click to expand...

I always liked it too, But since I was going with a smaller wheel after the rack install I decided to opt out of that. I've seen that massive horn and turn signal on smaller wheels, and it just looked out of place. I opted for the MGA turn signal arrangement.

Edit: Th MGA switch is the one on the far left of the dash. Once you get used to it, it works very well, and it does have a timed self canceling feature.
 

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I still think this is more appealing
 
Okay Randall- start talking, where did that setup come from? Looks nice!

Randy
 
Art-

Nice choice on the turn signal setup, it looks period for sure and fits in. Didn't realize they were timed self-canceling either.

If anyone wants to go R&P, but wants the original control head, you can buy a connector setup from Bastuck in Germany that lets you keep it. Only thing lost is the self-canceling.

Randy
 
That's a one-of creation by Mike Andrews. Somehow, he managed to create that alloy outer ring and stuff the guts of an original control head into it; then mount it on a period-correct aftermarket steering wheel. He might come to TRfest, if you want to ask him more about it or I think you can email him at andrewsdesign on earthlink.

I've driven an MGA with that switch; can't say I liked it much. Although the timing is adjustable, it always seems to be either too long or too short. OTOH, I would say it's more reliable than the TR control head and doesn't need to be cleaned and lubricated so often.
 
TR3driver said:
.. then mount it on a period-correct aftermarket steering wheel...
Click to expand...

What period are we talking about here? It's a nice wheel, but somehow seems more period correct for a '30s to late '40s auto.

And I do have to agree with you Randall about the MGA switch. I like the TR one better, but this was the next best thing. At least it does self-cancel and so far, the factory timing of 20 seconds works in most situations. I occasionally find myself shutting it off before the 20 seconds have elapsed, and sometimes have to turn it back on if stuck at a light for more then 20 seconds. It is a compromise, but better then the alternative of a directional without any self canceling.
 
martx-5 said:
What period are we talking about here?
Click to expand...
Beats me, but Tom Householder (whose knowledge of TR history is <span style="font-weight: bold">much </span>better than mine) seems to believe it was a 50's aftermarket piece. He thought it was possibly made by Cal Sales' accessory department (originally called Doretti, later Andori); or perhaps was a copy of one of their wheels (as there are no identifying marks on it). It was already mounted on my 56 TR3 when it was acquired by it's previous owner in 1970.
 
Hey Guys, please tell me more about this self-cancelling feature. I have a Moto Lita wheel, with rack and pinion steering. The wheel DOES have a horn button and Triumph shield, which I like; but, the turn signal toggle switch had to be installed on the dash, to the left of the heater knob (see photo).

I like the location of the toggle, as it is a "can't miss" location. However, 3 out of 4 turns, I forget that I have to turn it off manually. I don't think that I will ever do it naturally. I have over 1,000 miles on the car now, so it doesn't look like I am ever going to pick it up.

When I first got the car, I felt that the steering wheel and chrome instrument panel "had to go." But, once I realized that with the OEM wheel back on I would STILL not be able to use the control head, I decided to stay with the Moto Lita. And, the chrome panel has "grown on me." (I know, so will warts.) The chrome tends to "break up" the solid black dash.

Anyway, back to the timer. Is it a small thing to install, or is a whole lot involved, mechanically and financially?
 

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Nah, it's trivial to install, just need a big enough hole (slightly larger than a common toggle switch as I recall). 3 terminals, connects just like your toggle switch. The 'timer' is a pneumatic gizmo, turning the lever compresses a spring which then sucks air through an adjustable orifice.

Kinda pricey, though, Moss wants $150 for a new one.
 
What am I doing wrong? I tried to attach a photo, and all my post shows is the "name" of the photo file. I reduced it to 63K, so it should fit. I browsed, double-clicked on it, clicked on Add File, then clicked on Done Adding Files. Still nothing. So, I know that I am doing SOMETHING wrong!

P.S. You can clearly see that a person who cannot attach a photo to a forum post should no - UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES - take a wrench to a Triumph TR3!!
 
TR3BGeorge said:
What am I doing wrong?
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Have you tried it without any special characters in the file name?

And FWIW, when I started wrenching on Triumphs, I didn't even know what the Internet was. Probably because it hadn't been invented yet ...
 
The period Doretti Acc.steering wheel applications utilized a Healey variant control head which is the same inner works -stator . wiring as the TR

tom

TR3driver said:
That's a one-of creation by Mike Andrews. Somehow, he managed to create that alloy outer ring and stuff the guts of an original control head into it; then mount it on a period-correct aftermarket steering wheel. He might come to TRfest, if you want to ask him more about it or I think you can email him at andrewsdesign on earthlink.

I've driven an MGA with that switch; can't say I liked it much. Although the timing is adjustable, it always seems to be either too long or too short. OTOH, I would say it's more reliable than the TR control head and doesn't need to be cleaned and lubricated so often.
Click to expand...
 
Hey, Tom, welcome to the forum!

It might be that Mike found one of those old control heads; but I know he didn't get it with the wheel, and I'm pretty sure he said he made it himself from original TR parts. I'll double-check with him next week (assuming he shows up for TRfest).

Any chance you'll be joining us? It would be nice to meet in the flesh.
 
3rdTri said:
I converted my 1960 3A last year. I love the improvement but the change in turning radius is annoying. Alex
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Welcome Alex & a question: On the turning radius, is it less or more than before?
 
Gotta be more, as the stops in the trunnions set the minimum.
 
I am considering this conversion kit and checked the MOSS catalog and noticed that the Rigid Column Kit is not available. How do I check to see if I have a rigid column so I know if I need this "not available" kit?

Thanks!

Skip
1958 TR3A
TS34885L
 
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